O'Reilly Theatre

The O'Reilly Theatre sits right in Oxford, a proper working venue that punches above its weight for a university town. It's the kind of place where you'll catch everything from student productions to professional touring shows - drama, comedy, experimental work, the lot. The space itself is intimate, which means there's none of that getting-lost-in-a-sea-of-seats business you get at larger theatres.

If you're the sort who enjoys live performance without the West End prices, this is worth checking their schedule before you arrive. The productions lean heavily towards student talent and emerging performers, so you're either seeing raw, inventive theatre or occasionally something a bit rough round the edges - but that's part of the appeal, really. It's not a passive night out; you're part of something happening in real time.

The theatre works brilliantly as an evening activity if you're basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks - Cedar Hollow Oxford and The Oaks are minutes away, while Valley Farm Campsite and Oxford Glamping give you easy access without being right on top of it. Pair it with a day exploring Oxford's colleges and the Botanic Garden, and you've got a decent cultural weekend sorted. Check ahead for what's on - programming changes seasonally and you'll want to book if anything catches your eye. Allow a couple of hours from arrival to curtain call, and go hungry if there's a bar; pre-show drinks are part of the ritual.